Older cubers discussions

[Jason Green]

I was pleased with my race to sub 30 average of 30.37 this week. It was an improvement, and I actually expected to get worse as I'm still a little challenged with the colors of my Gans 356.

https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/...ce-to-Sub-25&p=1127189&viewfull=1#post1127189

 

[muchacho]

So the Gans 356 is a better cube than what you were using before? which was it?

 

[MarcelP]

I have been using several 'mains'. Before my Gans536 was the Moyu MeiYing my main. And before that the MoYu Hualong. I still think both of these are great. Just none of them is as good as the Gans. After doing 100 solves on one of these it feels like breeze to go back to the Gans 356. But I think that is due to my horrible style. I have a very sloppy turning style and Gans is OK with that.

 

[JanW]

Went online to order some backup stickers for my ZhanChi. Ended up ordering stickers and 9 new cubes... At the moment I can't say what kind of cube would feel best to me, so I want to try lots of different cubes and hopefully find out. Luckily these are very cheap. Also put a 2x2 and a 4x4 in there. Didn't order a 5x5 because I've read Yuxin is the one to get, but couldn't find a store that would ship it to Finland. Where do you buy the Yuxin in Europe?

In other news, I now know the ZBLL algs for all 12 T cases with corners positioned. Recognition is fast, but it still takes me a couple of seconds to recall which alg goes with each case. Haven't done timed solves yet using these, but I will use them from now on. Maybe give them a week or so to sink in, then add the next set of 12, probably the U cases.

 

[moralsh]

Thanks. I think I'll buy Gans.

I've decided to record my 3bld solves. Luckily, I got one - not best. Scramble was easy but memo a little too long (should be max 40 sec). And a lot of pauses during edges. I've switched to turbo 2 weeks ago and still my solves are not fluent.

Nice, lots of pauses and still sub 2

I'm still not timing my turbo solves, just doing sighted solves to get used to it, I'm also commited to learning more 3-style cases, let's see what can be accomplished in the next few months. I'm also trying to improve the way I do audio for edges and I need to improve my accuracy on multi if I want to ever do a successful 5BLD solve, too many things to change I guess

I just ordered a 5x5 and 4x4 Yuxin and a Gans 356 based on recommendations on this thread, also a stickerless cubic AoFu because I want to be able to do an average on 7x7x7. Lots of cubing to come, let's hope I have enough free time to cope with it

Jason Green, you're almost there!

 

[h2f]

Didn't order a 5x5 because I've read Yuxin is the one to get, but couldn't find a store that would ship it to Finland. Where do you buy the Yuxin in Europe?

I think I've seen it on Lightake and they send cubes to Europe: http://www.lightake.com/p/Yuxin-Zhi...le-6.3cm--Colorful_MU1928275.html?sku=1922696
There are few online shops in my country (Poland), so theres no problem with ordering it.

 

[JanW]

Huh, that's weird. Tried to order Yuxin 5x5 from SpeedCubeShop yesterday, but it said shipping to my location not available. Today I had an email from them with a 25% discount code encouraging me to finish the purchase, and shipping was possible. A bit juicy shipping costs, but that 25% discount took care of most of that, so Yuxin is on the way as well.

 

[MarcelP]

I'm also commited to learning more 3-style cases, let's see what can be accomplished in the next few months. I'm also trying to improve the way I do audio for edges and I need to improve my accuracy on multi if I want to ever do a successful 5BLD solve, too many things to change I guess


Jason Green, you're almost there!

I agree, Jason nice progress!! Also, I think I will be getting into BLD. Achieving my official sub 20 success has made me want to take a break from cubing. I have not really practiced since the competition and I kind of like the break now. When I feel the need to start practicing again I want to check out BLD again. I have given up to many times so now it is time to get serious. Your achievements and Marks and Grzegorz's made me want to also be a cool guy with some kind of BLD stuff on my WCA profile

Oh and.. you will not be disappointed with your new cubes..

 

[mark49152]

@Raul and Gregorz: just curious, but why are you guys switching to TuRBo?

 

[mafergut]

Thanks. I think I'll buy Gans.

I've decided to record my 3bld solves. Luckily, I got one - not best. Scramble was easy but memo a little too long (should be max 40 sec). And a lot of pauses during edges. I've switched to turbo 2 weeks ago and still my solves are not fluent.

I'm impressed! I wish I was able to do a 3BLD solve in under 2 minutes. I would be glad with under 5 minutes, to be honest but this you do is serious stuff, man! I will have to think of getting back to that, as Marcel also says because it is an entirely different challenge than speedsolving. I think I already mentioned here that I did a bit of OP like 1 year ago, enough to have a success (probably 15-20 minutes or more) but I assume that if I really wanted to get serious with 3BLD I would need to learn something better. I didn't really know about turbo I just now more or less the general idea of M2 for edges and also that 3style should be the fastest but all that stuff about commutators scares the h*** out of me. So, what would be a good starting method? OP for corners + M2 for edges? Also I would need a recommendation on memo methods. I just used back then made up words for every 2 letters and I did some kind of mental link with those words / images (like PL = plane, I imagine a plane, then TR = tree, I imagine the plane crashing into a tree...).

Regarding the Gans. Is the 356 so much better than the 357? Because I have a 357 and I hate it. I hope my new Tanglong or Meiying make me not want to buy a 356 because, anyway

 

[moralsh]

@Raul and Gregorz: just curious, but why are you guys switching to TuRBo?

In my case as a transition to edges 3-cycles, There are several options if you do M2 and want to switch to 3-cycles some day

1) keep doing M2 and insert some advanced M2 cases and/or some other conmutators
2) switch to TuRBo and start adding other optimal conmutators later on
3) Learn all the cases and switch once you know them all

The first is not a bad option, I've tried a couple of times to start using advanced M2 but I end doing normal M2 and there's too many ugly cases, the Third is just not realistic for me. That leads us to option 2, very easy to learn (although it's harder to get used to it). Also Grzegorz Jalocha recomends it which also counts.

It also has more potential for slow fngers, being a 3 cycle based method in which also the bulk of the algs are known because you use them in OLL or PLL.

Marcel, try something new, definitely, your 3x3 times will probably stay good and you'll find that you'll probably even improve learning new things. If you get again into blind, don't forget to do A LOT of sighted solves, it's more important than it seems.

 

[muchacho]

I'll learn BLD once I get bored of 3x3, or once I get 10 seconds averages, whatever comes first


Someone knows if Boomerang + M2 is a possible (and advisable) combination for a total newbie that looks for something more advanced than OP and that is sure he won't try learning 3-style?

 

[mark49152]

I've tried a couple of times to start using advanced M2 but I end doing normal M2 and there's too many ugly cases

I would also like to transition (slowly) to 3-style. My memo is still where I expect to cut most time with practice, but I don't like being static and want to keep expanding my execution skills too.

I have found M2 really good for introducing comms. I first tried looking at corner comms, but there aren't any really bad corner cases, so where to start? I know a few but rarely use them in solves. On the other hand, M2 has some ugly cases which are ripe for converting to comms just to avoid the ugliness.

For example, take BD. On its own, an awkward 11-move alg. But combined with an adjacent non-M-slice sticker it can be done in only 2 extra moves without learning any algs at all, using the normal M2 setups. So BD-FR would be done as M2 (setup FR) M' (undo FR) M'. It's so much nicer than solving with the usual BD alg that it stuck in my brain quickly and I use it all the time now. It's also got me into the important habit of looking for pairs to translate to execution actions, not just individual letters.

Another sticker I used to loath is BU, but not any more. Just do B2 to set up to the above .

I find sighted solves are helpful for getting new techniques to stick.

 

[h2f]

I'm impressed!

Nice, lots of pauses and still sub 2

I'm still not timing my turbo solves, just doing sighted solves to get used to it, I'm also commited to learning more 3-style cases, let's see what can be accomplished in the next few months.

Thank you. I'm glad I could record it. First, because it's kind of evidence where I'm at the moment with 3bld. For few months it would be good point to compare achievements. And second, I can see I can be sub1 at the moment if I had no pauses and finished my memo earlier. I'm very surprised I can memo in 30 seconds or less. I found my video of 3bld made a year and 3 months ago - time was over 8 minutes. A year ago I could even dream I can do memo in 30 seconds.

In turbo I've made for myself 4 groups of algs. I've noticed that every tutorial pairs algs like: an alg and it's inverse. Instead of it I've paired them in 4 pairs. Every pair has a 3cycle clockwise and counter clockwise. My pairs are up what edge does flip. If noone - it's a Ua and Ub perm. If first and second - it's a Fa case. If second and third - it's a H case. If first and third it's Fb case. In this order I must only think which edges flip during 3cycle. After around 200 solves it is almost automatic.

@Raul and Gregorz: just curious, but why are you guys switching to TuRBo?

I've read Raul's answer and my reasons are in half his. I was thinking about it, and my first reason was because Maskow and Grzegorz Jałocha told so. Maskow knows only idea of M2 but he said that noone of top 10 uses DF buffer. I remeber only Noah uses DF. I cant recall noone else. Grzegorz knows M2 - he used it as r2 in big blindes and he said that UF buffer is much more efficient. After 3 weeks with turbo I must agree. But Im in quite good position - I've learnt turbo earlier but left it to learn M2. It was much easier to come back to turbo. I know the rule how to create 3cycle for edges and at the moment I can do around 40% of comms for edges. And I found UF buffer much easier to do comms that way. The rule is the same like M2 - kind of setup and M moves for interchange. But UF buffer makes it easier. You can for example add U2 to change buffer position and solve hard cases in M2 like BD target. etc

There's one more - with turbo you always solve edges with 3-cycle even if you dont know right comms for the case. I think this is an advantage that M2 doesnt have and makes trasition to full comms more natural. But maybe I'm wrong.

And after all I think there's some kind of local inclination to a method. In Poland very few people uses M2 - I can recall only 2-3 people I ve met on competiotions who does M2 like me. Maskow learnt 3bld the way: OP, turbo, comms. He also tought Jałocha, who came same way. The most popular video tutorial for 3bld is made by Maskow and he suggestes same way: OP, turbo, comms. His results are the best recomendation to do it.

Marcel - give a try. It's not so hard as it seems. You need only to make few solves per day.

 

[newtonbase]

For example, take BD. On its own, an awkward 11-move alg. But combined with an adjacent non-M-slice sticker it can be done in only 2 extra moves without learning any algs at all, using the normal M2 setups. So BD-FR would be done as M2 (setup FR) M' (undo FR) M'. It's so much nicer than solving with the usual BD alg that it stuck in my brain quickly and I use it all the time now. It's also got me into the important habit of looking for pairs to translate to execution actions, not just individual letters.

Another sticker I used to loath is BU, but not any more. Just do B2 to set up to the above .

You really shouldn't be showing us something this good days before a competition. I have a strict rule not to learn anything new this close and you've made me break it!

 

[MarcelP]

Someone knows if Boomerang + M2 is a possible (and advisable) combination for a total newbie that looks for something more advanced than OP and that is sure he won't try learning 3-style?

I just looked at the page and it already has too much info for me.. Sounds way more complicated than OP.

Marcel - give a try. It's not so hard as it seems. You need only to make few solves per day.

First thing I want to look into is M2. I did use OP for edges.. But Mark seems to be having good results with M2 so I think it is worth it

 

[muchacho]

I just looked at the page and it already has too much info for me.. Sounds way more complicated than OP.

Yeah, seems to be a bit harder (although it has some beginner variants) but the execution must be shorter, and I wouldn't have to learn that long Y perm, which is a plus

 

[mafergut]

The most popular video tutorial for 3bld is made by Maskow and he suggestes same way: OP, turbo, comms. His results are the best recomendation to do it.

Marcel - give a try. It's not so hard as it seems. You need only to make few solves per day.

Problem with that last statement. When it takes you 2 minutes it is easy to do a few solves per day. When, at the beginning, it takes you like 15-20 minutes, it's a miracle if you can even do 3 solves a day. Also, when speedsolving at home, if somebody wants to talk to me I just drop the cube and I'm there, but if nobody can speak to me during 20 minutes or 1 hour maybe in 3 months I've dropped my times to 10 minutes... and I have a divorce

 

[h2f]

First thing I want to look into is M2. I did use OP for edges.. But Mark seems to be having good results with M2 so I think it is worth it

M2 is a very good method for beginners. I think it's much better than OP.

 

[MarcelP]

and I have a divorce

LOL.. true..

M2 is a very good method for beginners. I think it's much better than OP.

But you have to remember if a turn is even or odd. In OP you do not have to rememeber that, only if the total amount of turns is even/odd. Seems like a hassle for me... But I will try when I start doing BLD again.